Colombo

India on Sunday provided critical humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka by delivering a consignment of essential medicines and food supplies, even as an Indian Army field hospital team completed its relief mission and returned home following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

Officials said the aid included nearly 25 tonnes of 17 life-saving medicines and more than 14,200 kilograms of dry food items, handed over to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health in response to an urgent request from Colombo. The cyclone, which struck the island nation in mid-November, has claimed more than 640 lives and left widespread destruction in its wake.

Severe flooding, landslides and large-scale damage to infrastructure have placed enormous pressure on Sri Lanka’s disaster response systems. India emerged as the first country to respond to Sri Lanka’s international appeal for help under its humanitarian outreach initiative, Operation Sagar Bandhu.

The supplies were transported aboard a special Indian Air Force aircraft following discussions between Sri Lanka’s Health Minister Nalinda Jayathissa and Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha. The aircraft also carried back the Indian Army medical team that had been operating a mobile field hospital in affected areas.

Soon after Cyclone Ditwah made landfall, India deployed a mobile field hospital along with more than 70 medical personnel to assist Sri Lankan authorities in managing emergency healthcare needs arising from floods and landslides.

Confirming the conclusion of the mission, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said in a post on X that Health Minister Jayathissa expressed gratitude for the “dedicated and selfless service” of the Indian Army Field Hospital team as it returned home. The post added that 10 tonnes of medicines and 15 tonnes of dry food rations were delivered via an Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft for distribution among cyclone-affected communities.

The medicines supplied include drugs for the treatment of heart ailments, diabetes, and other critical medical conditions, and will be integrated into Sri Lanka’s public healthcare system, particularly state-run hospitals.

Jayathissa acknowledged India’s timely and vital support, noting that New Delhi has consistently stood by Sri Lanka during periods of crisis. Local media reported that the minister was present at the airport to personally thank the departing Indian medical personnel. According to Sri Lankan news portal Adaderana, the Indian doctors and medical staff treated nearly 7,000 patients, providing emergency and essential healthcare services.

Earlier, High Commissioner Jha visited severely affected areas in Sri Lanka’s central province, including Nelummala village in Kandy district, where he reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s relief, recovery and long-term rehabilitation efforts.

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According to Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre, as of Sunday evening, 644 people had lost their lives and 183 remained missing since November 16. More than 6,000 homes were completely destroyed, while over 1.12 lakh houses suffered partial damage. Around 22,600 families, comprising over 70,000 people, continue to take shelter in 766 relief centres across the country.